Obama, Abbott for transparent investigation into MH17 crash

Washington: US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have called for a prompt, full, unimpeded and transparent international probe into the crash of a Malaysian passenger plane in Ukraine.

"The President and Prime Minister reiterated their agreement that there must be a prompt, full, unimpeded and transparent international investigation," the White House said in a statement after the call between the two leaders.

The Boeing 777 was on a scheduled flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over pro-Russia rebels-held territory of the eastern Ukraine on Thursday.

It is still not clear if the Malaysia Airlines FlightMH17 was shot down purposely or mistakenly.

All 298 people on board were killed in the crash.

"The two leaders also agreed that Russia has a responsibility to use its extraordinary influence with the pro-Russian separatists who control the crash site to compel them to cooperate with international monitors and investigators," it said on Sunday.

As strong allies, the President underscored that the US will continue to support and coordinate closely with Australia as this issue moves forward, it said.

Russia has denied any involvement, and President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine's military campaign against the rebels for the tragedy. He also has called for a "thorough and objective investigation" of the crash.